THROUGH WILD EUROPE 317 



sind hier in solchen unmassen, dass die Weiden- 

 baume, ihre stand und Schlatplatze auf eine. 

 Entfernung von 1 J kilometer infolge der Ablagerung 

 der excremente abgestorben sind.' 



It fairly made my mouth water when I read this 

 letter, to think that we had missed such a gathering 

 of birds. Though they will probably nest in the 

 same place this year, I shall not be there to see, and 

 to photograph. But Rettig will, and I expect to 

 have a glowing account of his doings there before 

 long. 



While at Malcoci I had an opportunity of photo- 

 graphing a dead specimen of that curious animal, 

 Spalax typhlus, which was brought in to Rettig by a 

 boy. This rodent has no visible eyes, at least I 

 could find none on examining it (but I didn't dissect 

 it), and is supposed to be blind. It never comes to 

 the surface, but burrows among the roots of plants, 

 especially potatoes, on which it feeds. The photo- 

 graphs show the extraordinary development of the 

 gnawing teeth. 



We had a day or two's rest after our exertions in 

 the Balta, then I packed up my belongings and started 

 homewards. The heavy luggage was sent round 

 by sea, including a huge case of bird-skins. A box 

 of eggs I took with me. Besides these, cases of 

 eggs and skins had been previously forwarded from 



